Daniel Jarvis, longtime Liberal MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour, announced Wednesday that he's retiring. His departure could mean big changes in a solid Liberal riding.

On his website, Jarvis said:

"It's been a great pleasure and honour to serve as an MLA for almost two decades," says Jarvis. "I had hoped to have the opportunity to serve four more years to see this riding through the current economic uncertainty and to work with my constituents. But I must now turn the page. My spirit is willing but my heart has other plans and this riding deserves 100 per cent attention and dedication from their MLA."

Earlier this year, Jarvis successfully underwent a quintuple bypass.

The next Liberal candidate in Seymour will face an enthusiastic NDP novice, Mo Norton. But the riding hasn't elected a New Democrat since Colin Gabelmann in 1972, who squeaked in against a Liberal, a Socred, and a provincial Progressive Conservative.

Commenters at North Vancouver Politics blog speculate that the Liberal candidate could be Jane Thornthwaite, currently chair of the North Van school board, or ex-West Van police chief Kash Heed.

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.